Vern: On our last day in Ushaia, we set off up one of the peaks above the small town to see the Martial Glacier. The weather was against us, but icy head winds, sporadic drizzle and spots of light hail didn't deter us. The climb was steep and our walking shoes did well to cling to loose gravel.

We finally reached a poorly translated sign reading 'You are now watching the Martial Glacier. Use proper equipment' a few feet in front of a puddle of snowmelt. What the hell is this? And what equipment? Water-wings?

We pressed on along a rough path forged by others who also weren't happy to accept the puddle as the climax of the hike and finally reached the base of the snow cap. I guess a cirque glacier is just frozen snow. We took some photos, to pull out at a later time when we need laurels to rest on, and enjoyed a delicious salami sandwich while we enjoyed the vista of the canyon we'd just walked, the small town below, and the islands dotting the southern sea.

After the steep descent, the walk back to town was through twisted trees in a beautiful dense forest.

Quote of the day:
"Hiking is hard. Maybe that's why the clothes are so ugly; to deter people from doing it!" -Andrea B Hughes.